China has successfully launched its final satellite within its BeiDou constellation network earlier today (23rd June 2020). The launch of the final satellite completes its new global navigation system which has been in works for about a decade.
The Long March 3B rocket flew the final BeiDou Navigation Satellite (BDS) into orbit from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwest China. Its lift off occurred at 9:43 am Beijing time, which had finally been given the green light after a delay that lasted nearly a week due to technical problems.
Previously, the initial satellite launched before the final one had only been announced after successful insertion into orbit. But in a rare turn of event, the Chinese government announced the launch in advance and even broadcasted the launch live on television and online platform, which also included an English translation that was available on state services.
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For those unaware, China began the development of its BeiDou satellite system back in the 1990s, with the first satellite launching in 2000. The indigenous navigational system was developed to be a local offering similar to the GPS system from the US. The BDS system consists of 30 satellites, with its applications ranging from high-precision positioning to short message communications.
The new satellite system also features “higher bandwidth, enabling enhanced communication capability and carrying more accurate … atomic clocks to improve the precision of timing and navigation services.” Notably, the system had faced various delays due to the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic, but with the final satellite’s launch, the system can finally rival other navigational systems.
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(Via)
